[Chris Fultz]

Two things to (hopefully) be of help.

1) FIRST announced grants today for $1000 to new or veteran teams. Your primary contact should have the details, but the basics are you have to apply for the grant, and you have to use it as part of your entry fee for 1 regional. You can only be going to one regional - and not the championships.
The focus seems to be on struggling teams and I think it is a great move by FIRST.

2) Everyone on Team 234 is expected to find a $250 sponsor. Some find more than one, some can't get any, but most are able. This does several things - it gets all students out talking about and promoting the program and explaining what it is, it introduces many new people to FIRST, it gets additional 'ownership' in the team because everyone has done something extra to help with funding, and, it helps finance the team. Sponsors get their names on our T-shirts or on plaques, depending on what we do each season. In the fall, everyone who supported us gets a wall certificate, team photo or something else as out Thank You to display. Four small sponsors like this covers the $1000 increase in the entry fee. It is also kinda cool to go into a local business and see a team picture on the wall !